I watched Cody Reed pitch for the Bats tonight. He went 7 innings, allowing only 1 run. Overall, it was a good start. He threw only 90 pitches and had 5 Ks, 4 looking. He did walk the pitcher twice, but it was a good outing.
In comments after the game, Reed said he thinks he’s still thinking too much. “I think I’m focusing too much,” was the quote. He also said, “In two days, I’ll throw my bullpen and me and [Louisville pitching coach Jeff] Fassero will yell at each other and butt heads, but laugh about it at the end.”
DeShields said it was “[b]y far his best outing since he’s gotten back. He pitched tonight. I saw him under control. He was balanced. His location was much better tonight. All around this was his best outing – mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. He was good tonight. He looked like a big leaguer tonight.”
I also asked about Jesse Winker who seems to be hitting a new level with the Reds. “He’s grown a lot. Not just as a player, but as a young man. He’s matured a lot. When he got to AAA for the first year, he was a baby still in a lot of ways. I think he was looking forward to another challenge. I think this was getting… boring, if you want to call it that. I’m glad he’s making the most of it.”
Winker, I will say, has to be viewed as a case of success in terms of development. We’ll see, of course, how his career progresses, but he’s clearly matured under the tutelage of people in the organization.
Reed was clearly rushed to MLB. I never got why they were so eager to promote him last year, and keep him out there time after time. Then they but him in the bullpen! On the Yankees or dodgers this guy would have been given a year in AAA and time to develop.
Winker may benefit from the appropriate time .
Injuries to the pitching staff, Reed has a great arm. I don’t want to say he is immature, but I think his problems are in his head. When he masters the mental part of the game, he will likely succeed in the majors.
Don Gullet could pitch in the Majors at 19 as a reliever, then was a starter at 20 years old. Same as Gary Nolan. Some guys just take longer.
Not too many pitchers today like Bob Feller of the Indians who came up at age 17 and stayed for 21 years including three years in the military.
Mental toughness comes to mind when I think of Reed.Of course I feel he has a real passion for what he is doing and when it goes south on him he kind of goes along.I think the good ones kind of put it aside and go on to the next pitch.He will get it and with his stuff well look out
I was thinking of just that quote.
Tom, I can’t get too excited about either one. Nice analysis though.
Every time I’ve seen Reed…its walk walk boom! He doesn’t seem to have a quality offspeed pitch and his fastball is arrow straight. I wonder if he could be another Tony Cingrani? Come in for relief purposes at 96-97 mph and fire it against lefties primarily. We need another lefty in the pen from somewhere?